Latest Windows How-To Stories
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How to increase your right-click options with Right Click Tweaker
Personalize the right-click context menu in Windows by adding functions you use most.Updated
How to change Windows 10’s default web browser to Chrome, Firefox, or Opera
Windows 10 pulls a nasty trick when you upgrade: It sets your default web browser to Edge, even if you opted for Chrome or Firefox in Windows 7 or 8. Here's how to change it back.
How-To
How to create Live Tiles for your Steam games in Windows
It's not easy to turn your Steam games into Live Tiles, but this Windows Store app can help.
How-To
How to create and restore an image backup in Windows 10
Windows 10's image backup can protect your Windows configuration. Learn how to make one of your entire drive. And, should disaster strike, learn how to restore Windows from that backup.
Max Productivity
4 simple note-taking apps for Windows 10
When you want to quickly capture simple information, Evernote and OneNote can be overkill. Reach for one of these no-frills note takers instead.Hassle-Free PC
How to change the ‘Hey, Cortana’ wake word in Windows 10
Microsoft doesn't let you personalize Cortana's wake word, but this third-party program does.Hassle-Free PC
How to turn on the Ink Workspace in Windows 10
Even if you don't have a digital pen, you can still activate the Windows Ink Workspace to see what it's all about.Hassle-Free PC
4 reasons to kick off the New Year with an Office 365 Subscription
Office 365 is a great way to stay productive. Here are the main reasons you should give Office 365 a try.
Hassle-Free PC
How to incorporate keyboard shortcuts into your workflow
Keyboard shortcuts should be on every computer user's short list of skills to acquire. Here's a look at how you can use them on an average day.Hassle-Free PC
How to customize your Windows PC with Winaero Tweaker
Winaero Tweaker lets you do deep system customizations that require meddling in the registry, without directly meddling in the registry.Answer Line
Windows recovery disk tip: When and if it needs updating
Once you make your Windows recovery disk, do you ever need to update it? We asked Microsoft, and this is what we learned.Hassle-Free PC
How to sideload extensions in Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge lets you install browser extensions from unofficial sources. Here's how to do it.Answer Line
4 Windows Command Prompt tricks everyone should know
For all of Windows 10's icons and tiles, sometimes, only the Command Prompt will do what you need to do. Learn these four special tricks to work smarter with your PC.Hassle-Free PC
Three tips for dealing with an unruly desktop
A cluttered Windows desktop hampers productivity. Here's how to whip your desktop into shape.Tip
How to fix a limited connectivity problem on a Windows 7 PC
Does your Windows laptop work fine at home but show a ‘limited connectivity error’ at work? A few simple changes can resolve this problem.
Answer Line
How to reinstall Windows 10 without any bloatware
Windows 10 actually has the ability to install just the OS without any additional software, which is great news for those with prebuilt systems laden with unwanted software.Tip
How to restore missing desktop icons in Windows
You’ve lost your Windows desktop icons and you want them back. Here’s how to do it.How-To
How to defer Windows 10 updates
Windows 10 forces updates on home users, but Windows 10 Pro users can slow down feature upgrades if they want.Hassle-Free PC
How to download Windows Store apps with a local account
Microsoft didn't want you to use the Windows Store without signing in with a Microsoft Account. That no longer appears to be the case.
Tip
How to stop Outlook from automatically marking emails as read
Just skimming your email? Here are some steps you can take to keep your messages marked as unread.
Tip
How to find saved Wi-Fi passwords on your Windows 10 PC
There is a simple way to show a Wi-Fi password in Windows 10—just head over to Wireless Properties.Answer Line
When your Windows 10 login password fails, you need a recovery drive
Your Windows 10 PC could lose track of your password due to an upgrade gone awry, or some other unexpected hiccup. We have a few workarounds.How-To
How to make Chrome warn you before closing
Chrome on Windows doesn't have a built-in warning dialog box before closing the browser. This workaround can help.
Max Productivity
4 ways to get things done faster with Cortana
You can have Cortana compose and send emails, capture your notes, and more with these tips.
Answer Line
How to add a Hibernate option to the Windows 10 Start menu
Windows 10 doesn't include Hibernate in the shut-down options by default, but it's easy enough to add it.Max Productivity
4 Windows 10 tools that will kickstart your productivity
Maximize screen real estate, segregate tasks, set reminders, and more with these tips.Hassle-Free PC
Google Drive dumps Windows XP and Vista, now what?
Google Drive is dumping official support for Windows XP and Vista. Here are some options for anyone running those systems.Answer Line
How to customize Windows 10 colors
You can tweak the built-in Windows 10 color palette quite easily; you just have to know where to look!Hassle-Free PC
How to pin the Recent Items folder to File Explorer in Windows 10
File Explorer already has a recent-items section in the Quick Access section. But this one's better.Hassle-Free PC
3 handy image tools you can use in File Explorer
File Explorer's Manage tab for photos has some quick-and-easy photo-management tools for Windows 8 and Windows 10 users.Hassle-Free PC
How to shut down your PC at a set time
Two simple programs make it easy to shut down your PC at a specified time.Hassle-Free PC
Get more Edge extensions by installing beta versions
New Edge extensions are slow to come to the Windows Store, but you don't have to wait. Try this trick to get beta extensions in Edge today.
Hassle-Free PC
How to stop failing Windows Updates from bothering you
Microsoft's show or hide updates troubleshooter is a handy tool for those times when you need to say "no" to Windows 10's mandatory updates.Answer Line
What to do when you hate Windows 10
Not everyone is pleased with Windows 10. If that's you, here are your options.Hassle-Free PC
How to use your Android, iOS, or Windows 10 smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot
When you really need to access the internet from a PC, your phone can save the day.Hassle-Free PC
How to turn off Windows Defender’s enhanced notifications in Windows 10
Windows Defender in the Anniversary Update loves to tell you what it's doing. Here's how to stop that.Answer Line
Importing bookmarks and favorites to Edge is easier with the Anniversary Update
Microsoft's new Anniversary Update simplified the way you import favorites from other major browsers to Edge. Here's how easy it is now.
Answer Line
You can remove Cortana from Windows 10, but it’s tricky
Just turning off Cortana is easy. Removing her completely is hard. We'll show you how to delve cautiously into the Windows registry.How-To
How to repair Windows’ master boot record and fix your bricked PC
Whether Windows' MBR was corrupted or erased by ransomware or a less nefarious means, it can be fixed. Here's how.Hassle-Free PC
How to use Windows 10’s Battery Saver mode
Battery Saver in Windows 10 is a handy feature for anyone who prefers to keep their power cords at home.Tip
Windows 10’s Quick Assist lets you fix Dad’s computer from your desk
If you have Windows 10's Anniversary Update, there's a handy little tool for performing remote tech support that's baked right into your computer. It's the new Quick Assist feature.
Hassle-Free PC
How to rearrange the quick-actions tiles in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update
Microsoft's quick actions tiles are a convenient way to get at key system settings. Here's how to organize them to your liking in the Anniversary Update.Answer Line
What Microsoft won’t tell you about your Windows 10 recovery drive size
You'd think it wouldn't be too hard to know how much storage space you need to create a Windows 10 recovery drive. But we asked Microsoft, and the answer will surprise you.Answer Line
Microsoft Edge’s bookmarks bar is called the Favorites bar, and here’s how to enable it
Microsoft’s new Edge browser has bookmarks, but they're called Favorites. Here's how to enable them.Hassle-Free PC
How to adjust your AutoPlay settings in Windows 10
Control how AutoPlay responds to various removable media in Windows, so you can enjoy the feature's convenience while minimizing the risk to your PC's security.Hassle-Free PC
How Windows 10’s Anniversary Update takes the wait out of future updates
Windows 10's Anniversary Update adds a new setting that makes it easier for your PC to finish an update without making you log in. Say goodbye to the 'We're just getting things ready' screen.
Answer Line
Why it matters whether your Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit
There's a difference between 64-bit and 32-bit operating systems, and it involves your PC, too.How-To
How to enable Windows 10’s dark theme in the Anniversary Update
The dark theme is ready to trick out your Windows 10 PC. Here's how to enable it.Hassle-Free PC
How to use Windows 10’s Active Hours to prevent surprise update installs
Want to make extra sure Windows 10 won't install updates when you need your PC the most? Active Hours can help.How-To